5 string advice desired

[Charlzm]

I'm looking for a 5 string bass. Here are some relevant parameters:

1. I'm going to be playing hard rock/prog rock/metal, so I'd like something with snap and snarl.
2. I don't want to spend more than $1k US (manufacturers list price).
3. I don't want a Fender/Squire.
4. I don't want a used instrument.
5. It needs to be something I can get at Guitar Center; I used to work there and still have a hook-up. GC doesn't offer employees a discount on used gear, so a used bass would have to be $500 or below.

Anybody got any suggestions? I've been looking at a Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 and an Ibanez BTB575...

 

[LarryO]

5

 

[Charlzm]

find as many sub $1k 5 strings, play them, pick the one you like?????? I don't know how anyone can give advice.....what kind of response were you really hoping for?

I was hoping to get useful advice from people who own 5 strings (with at least approximate parameters to mine) so I wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel or read lots of threads with irrelevant information.

Or perhaps people lauding their Shecters and/or Ibanez basses or warning me away from them... or perhaps steering me to models I hadn't considered yet...

 

[bassman314]

Lakland 55-01. It's about $800 new.

It's what I use now, and I love it. I have 2. One is fretted and I switch between Nickel and Stainless strings, depending on my mood when I am buying strings. I also have a fretless with half-rounds.

I have used both in a variety of contexts, including rock, metal, punk, jazz, gospel, etc.

 

[dukeisdog]

My best advice is to seriously consider used. You can get a Spector Euro 5LX for around $1000 US used, list price is $2299, they're beautiful basses, neck thru, have great punch and growl, if you're considering the Schecter Stilleto, it sounds like you may really like a Euro Spector. Here's a pic of mine, looking as good as always:

 

[icecycle66]

I like just about everything in the ESP Ltd B series

The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website

and F series.

The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website

With your budget you can get just about anything you want.

 

[Charlzm]

Lakland 55-01. It's about $800 new.

It's what I use now, and I love it. I have 2. One is fretted and I switch between Nickel and Stainless strings, depending on my mood when I am buying strings. I also have a fretless with half-rounds.

I have used both in a variety of contexts, including rock, metal, punk, jazz, gospel, etc.

Thanks for the advice! I always figured Laklands were way out of my price bracket, but it looks like they came out with some more affordable models I didn't know about.

I'll add that to the list to check out.

 

[Charlzm]

I like just about everything in the ESP Ltd B series

The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website

and F series.

The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website

With your budget you can get just about anything you want.

Do you have an ESP 5 string? I see they are 34" scale... I wonder if that's long enough for a 5 string bass. Will have to check them out.

 

[blindrabbit]

SBMM Ray 35?

 

[Ds1]

Dude, go Brubaker Brute all the way! $665 shipped, and some of the best playing basses out there. Very modern feeling.

Links:

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eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

[Aceonbass]

I had a Schecter Hell Raiser 5 that was really nice for about $425.00 used. Another great bass for under 1K is the Korean made TUNE TWB series. I paid less than $400 used for the one that I had. These are excellent basses regardless of cost.

 

[mixamatchi]

+1 for the Schecter Stiletto custom 5. It's been my main bass for about 5yrs now. I like it so much, that I just recently got another one! Personally, I like the bolt ons better. They are light @8.5#s, and I can get any sound I need out of them. They have a new one called the Stiletto Extreme. These are cheaper, due to the stamped bridge, and Schecter's in house pickups. My second one is like this, and I like it very much. Fitment issues are more likely with these cheaper basses. Check it out carefully before you buy. Happy hunting!

 

[Puma]

You might want to take a look at Carvin. You can get a SB5000 for under $1000 and they are Sweeeet!

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[mmbongo]

If you want 34" scale normal spacing:
Brubaker Brute

34" scale narrow spacing:
G&L L2500

35" scale normal spacing:
Lakland 55-01

 

[Charlzm]

If you want 34" scale normal spacing:
Brubaker Brute

34" scale narrow spacing:
G&L L2500

35" scale normal spacing:
Lakland 55-01

Okay, that's two recommendations for the Lakland 55-01! that's the next one I'm going to try. I think the Mesa Boogie store in Hollywood carries Lakland...

 

[73jbass]

Music Man Bongo 5 HH or HS. They can be found for less than 1k used. John Myung has been using a Bongo for several years now.

 

[vince a]

I'd do the Lakland, though the 55-02 is better, and you can get them used for under a grand, but ya' gotta hunt for them . . . most bassists don't turn them loose . . .

 

[sethlow3]

I wouldn't be so closed minded about used basses. Ernie ball music man stingray 5 strings are always around 1k used and they beat anything in their price range. If you must go new, a Fender American standard may be your best bet, but you said you didn't want Fender.

 

[sethlow3]

Also, try before you buy a bit. 5's vary so much in feel that you'll need to find out which scale length and string spacing you prefer. I like "34 scale and 17.5mm spacing for example.

 

[Charlzm]

Music Man Bongo 5 HH or HS. They can be found for less than 1k used. John Myung has been using a Bongo for several years now.

I love Bongos, but I'm not down with used instruments. I've had nothing but bad experiences with used down through the years.